George Eisele
Chief Executive

Q.  What's the history of TMP Direct?

A.  TMP Direct was originally part of the company that is now known as Monster, as in Monster.com.  I was on their board.  One of their businesses was a call center.  I was asked to devote my attention to them in about 1988.  In May of 2005, Monster decided to spin off all its businesses that weren't Internet or recruitment entities.  Rather than wait for a buyer who might not care about TMP Direct as much as we do, Dan Collins, Mary Ann Kerr and I purchased the company. 

Q.  What's the advantage for clients that TMP Direct is owned by the people who run it?

A.  As a division of a parent company, you can only control so much of your destiny.  Profits may not be reinvested in the capital improvements that management desires.  Now that we own the company, we decide what to invest in —and we can make quick, decisive decisions that benefit our clients.

Q.  You've been in the call center business a long time.  What changes have you seen?

A.  When we started, consumer marketing companies were generally untargeted businesses that depended on broadcast advertising.  Now they're much more targeted.  Now more B2C companies understand the value of finding good prospects, building a relationship with them, and investing in high quality customer service handling and nurturing programs.

Q.  What changes would you like to see?

A.  I'd like to see the call center get more attention as part of the total marketing picture.  Many companies spend 6 months or more developing a product.  Then they'll spend 6 months or more on marketing and advertising.  Then at the 11th hour they focus on how leads and inquiries will be handled.  I'd like the call center to get earlier attention more often in more companies, so we can help companies develop the best lead and customer handling programs.

Q.  What do you like most about TMP Direct?

A.  Other than the fact that we own this company so we can react quickly to client needs, it's the people.  We have a loyal, dedicated workforce.  Many people have been here for years and seem to have found a job they really enjoy.

Q.  What would your dream job be, if you weren't at TMP Direct?

A.  I'd either be a benevolent monarch or host of The Tonight Show.

Q.  Do you think clients like working with TMP Direct?

A.  I don't think it, I know it. Not only do we deliver the results that our clients need, they tell us that we're good to work with.  When we lose a client, it's not because we've been found wanting in terms of service or quality or training.  It's because the product has gone away or the company has decided not to serve that product's customers in the same way. 

Q.  What do you do in your spare time?

A.  I like to travel and visit different golf courses.  I like being at the beach and chasing fish around the ocean in my boat. 

Q.  What's your favorite movie or book or food?

A.  I read a lot, but my favorite book is Lonesome Dove.  Favorite movie is a toss-up between A Christmas Story and Scent of a Woman.  My 8-year granddaughter recently asked me what my favorite food was when I was her age.  I told her vegetable soup.  Now it's Godiva Special Belgium Dark Chocolate.

Q.  Is there something you absolutely have to experience, without which you won't consider your life complete?

A.  Not really, but one thing still on my list of things to do is to fly a blimp.

Meet other people at TMP Direct